What type of appliance should/could i use to heat/cook oatmeal, soups, etc? I bought an electric kettle and while it boiled water lickity split...the heated water didn't maintain temp long enough to cook oatmeal or to keep tea hot for very long. My husband and I will be traveling by car for pheasant hunting and the glorious Super 8 motel at our destination doesn't have a microwave. We have to be outside before sunrise and there won't be any restaurants open. So i'm looking for some electrical, small appliance that will heat and maintain heat....I'm not a camper so i'm not sure what my options might be. I recall a single burner thing as a kid but i'm thinking that by now there must be something smaller than a microwave :o yet more advanced than a burner....Is there? Help please....i'm leaving this week and am hoping to find a solution at a BB&B or something today.

Gumbeaux

10-22-2006, 06:38 AM

I'm thinking that a single burner propane or butane stove would suit your needs best. It is inexpensive, light weight, can be transported easily, and can also be used at the hunting location where there probably isn't any electricity. An electric hot plate or stove might trip the circuit breakers at the hotel rendering it useless.

A propane or butane stove is safer than one using Coleman fluid because you won't risk spilling fuel in transit or when you have to refill it.

I think you are right....although i might just opt for an electric one and hope the hotels electrical system can handle it...i've been browsing this morning online in case i have to order one..2 day shipping will still give me time to get it before i leave.

http://dyn-images.hsn.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/501225

Now that i'm thinking about it...at least this is an inexpensive alternative like you said and something i likely could use again for potluck dinners,,,etc. So i wouldn't feel like i had this one-use purchase taking up space in my cupboards..i hate that. So back to BB&B with my electric kettle i bought yesterday...and the quest is on again. Still taking advice...stores don't open for 4 more hours so i'll be around yet if anyone has more ideas :D Thank you.

Gumbeaux

10-22-2006, 07:09 AM

Another possible option would be to stay at a hotel that is further away but has the amenities that you like. If there is a hotel that, let's say, 30 miles further away, but has a restaurant, it still might be easier. Your drive would be less than 30 minutes longer than where you were going to stay, but you would save time by not having to cook, cleanup, etc.

Other options could be using an immersion heater with instant oatmeal. (I use one all the time)

Be sure to try out anything you buy at home several times before you use it on a trip. ;)

sparrowgrass

10-22-2006, 07:19 AM

I once had a job where I spent a couple months living out of motels in rural areas, and I quickly got tired of convenience store pizza.

I bought a rice cooker--just a little 3 cup model--and it was great for ramen, oatmeal, and heating canned soup. I even made mac and cheese type dishes in it, and hardboiled some eggs.

I haven't tried those aseptically packaged meals, but I know they have a wide variety of items--beef stew, scalloped potatoes--and those would reheat just fine in a rice cooker.

slawrence

10-22-2006, 07:53 AM

When my son was in an extended stay hotel place for a couple months, I bought him a crockpot and some liners. Would that help? You could start it before bed. Pheasant.....ah, I used to live in South Dakota and grew up in Minnesota-I love pheasant! Happy Hunting! Sue

spudugan

10-22-2006, 08:05 AM

hmmm...never heard of the immersion heater...a blender yes,,,but not the heater. I may research that a bit. Staying somewhere else...well...there just aren't any alternatives. Being in the field ready to go before sunrise...and we're already staying about 40 minutes away in order to find a motel there just isn't another option. Course i certainly could cold-cereal it....but just thought there could be a simple solution. And from everyone's responses...there are some real good ones. Thank you so much!

Kayaksoup

10-22-2006, 08:28 AM

When I lived in residence at University, I refused to eat dorm food (it has improved ALOT since I was a student) We were not alloed any electrical or gas equipment in our rooms, except for a hot pot (http://www.amazon.com/Rival-4071WN-32-Ounce-Pot-Express/dp/B00006IUXU/sr=1-7/qid=1161527070/ref=sr_1_7/104-6176761-5549517?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen) , different from the kettle you posted. I made soups, oatmeal and pasta dishes in it. Great multi tasker :D The only problem with the burner you posted? you need to remember to pack cooking utensils. The upside? You could cook more than just oatmeal.

spudugan

10-22-2006, 09:34 AM

When I lived in residence at University, I refused to eat dorm food (it has improved ALOT since I was a student) We were not alloed any electrical or gas equipment in our rooms, except for a hot pot (http://www.amazon.com/Rival-4071WN-32-Ounce-Pot-Express/dp/B00006IUXU/sr=1-7/qid=1161527070/ref=sr_1_7/104-6176761-5549517?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen) , different from the kettle you posted. I made soups, oatmeal and pasta dishes in it. Great multi tasker :D The only problem with the burner you posted? you need to remember to pack cooking utensils. The upside? You could cook more than just oatmeal.

Yea...i was remembering one like this from college too! And i saw it yesterday at BB&B but wasn't sure if it was just for water only. The description attached to your link says mac cheese, etc....and it's super cheap...so i think i might just grab one of those. It was light weight, relatively small,,,and with the 20%off coupon would be less than $10...now we're talkin! :D

RealIronChef

03-12-2007, 10:28 PM

Being a frequent traveller and hotel dweller, I too became tired of pizza and burger combo's and all night diners serving grease to go. I developed a method to cook great tasting meals without a stove, microwave, pots or pans. From quick 10 min hot meals, to steak, veggies and rice in under 40 mins and many other delicious meals. I've searched the www to find something similar with no success. If you are interested, send me an email and I will send you the URL.

Happy cooking

Gil

mbrogier

03-13-2007, 12:25 AM

What about a crock pot?

I just bought Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker, and there are recipes for oatmeals and other breakfast dishes, not to mention all the yummy things you could put in your crock pot before you left for the day that would be waiting for you when you return.